Nine employees from seven Watsonville businesses were cited for selling alcohol to minors

Nine employees from seven Watsonville businesses were cited for selling alcohol to minors during a decoy operation on Saturday, according to police. The Watsonville Police Department conducted the decoy operation in partnership with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. As a result of the operation, nine employees from seven different ABC licensed retail businesses were cited for furnishing or selling alcohol to a minor, police said.

The operation was made possible by a grant award to the Watsonville Police Department by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Police said the operation is part of a larger initiative to reduce alcohol-related crimes and issues in Watsonville. The project will continue through June 2014 and includes preventative and educational programs, according to police.

Local business owners with alcohol licenses and their employees are encouraged to attend a free Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs seminar. The next seminar in Watsonville will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at the Watsonville Community Room on the 4th floor of the Civic Plaza at 275 Main St. On-site registration starts at 11:30 a.m. Additional information about the initiative may be obtained by contacting Watsonville Police Sgt. Mike McKinley at (831) 768-3323.

Comment Advisement We welcome your thoughts, but for the sake of all readers, please refrain from the use of obscenities, personal attacks or racial slurs. All comments are subject to our terms of service and may be removed. Repeat offenders may lose commenting privileges.